Quick Service Vs. Basic

[LaLupita]

I downgraded from Basic to QS because its not only $10 extra, tips are not included.

 

[LillersMom]

We are doing the QS this trip. Have used the DP for every trip since they came out with it, but this year it seems like we are having a hard time getting ADR's at our favorites so we booked ADR's for three nights that we will pay OOP with the Tables in Wonderland (we are passholders). I think all in all we will probably some out about even because we always order drinks and apps anyway and have to buy breakfast. Also, when paying OOP then my youngest kids can share an adult meal and get what they want instead of having to order off the children's menu. I guess only time will tell.

 

[CoP Luv]

My vote would be for OOT also. I was considering the QS plan for our next trip (still dreaming about it though...not planned yet! ) and I don't think that I would spend the amount of the plan on food everyday. We usually bring breakfast items in the room, drink water all the time (even at home - we aren't pop drinkers), and hardly ever get snacks or dessert just because we are full from eating other things.

I haven't been to WDW for more than 4-5 days at a time in the last ten years so for a longer trip I might get a plan, but unless it's free dining, no DDP or QSDP for us.

Who knows...maybe I might spulrge next trip.

 

[wishing4PA]

We went OOP. Sure, DP is a great value, but only if you want to all eat together and plan sit down meals. The TS meals we did required more time because even though you have an ADR you still don't just waltz in at your appointed time. They can make a nice break, though especially in the summer at lunchtime.

I didn't do the QSDP because we wound up saving money OOP. First, we had 2 TS meals in our week (not enough for DP, not covered by QSDP). One day 2 of us had afternoon tea at the GF. The food was more than enough to replace "dinner", but wouldn't have been covered by either of the above plans. Another day DD went to the Wonderland Tea Party -- that was her lunch -- and DH and I had a short meal at the GF Cafe. I had 2 appetizers, he had a sandwich and then it was time to pick her up.

So we just had more flexibility (and saved money) without the plan. We at more meals than we expected at our excellent food court in ASMo. No, we didn't get the desserts that would have come with the QSDP, but we honestly didn't need them. I didn't lose any weight at Disney, and surely would have gained with either dining plan!

 

[wishing4PA]

I forgot to add something. That is, I did the math quite often before deciding to go OOP. (And after I did that, of course, the price went up. A risk of no DP.)
We still made out ahead, but I recall thinking if I had more than one Disney "child", the QSDP would make more sense. You may just want to add up your probable meals and decide. We also were going the ultra-cheap route and only picked up one mug. Though more would have been nice, we wouldn't have gotten our money's worth out of them. DD4 got almost enough drinks with the kids meals we ordered, and DH enjoys an adult beverage at night. The math was real close though, and with the extra child, I wouldn't be surprised if the QSDP didn't work out best for you.

 

[msce2]

Where are you staying? Do you have the option to cook some of your meals? Depending on your answer, it may work out to do a fridge swap and buy some groceries on your way in. Like bread and lunch meat, and pop tarts or granola bars. Eat breakfast, take a cooler and bring lunch. Or eat a quick lunch in the park something inexpensive (split with DH, and have the kids split a lunch) Then head back to the room for dinner. There are a lot of options, you would still be able to do a few meals here or there, but you would not be tied down to having to pay so much for in park meals everyday.

 

[VernRDH]

We just switched for our upcoming May trip. We originally booked the DDP, but downgraded to the QSDP. We are paying OOP for 3 meals (garden grill, tusker house and the plaza) that we would have had covered by the DDP. We are going to TRex (DD got a gift card for christmas to cover that one). We had no trouble getting ADR's for what we wanted, but decided that a)we can't handle all the food of a TS meal anymore (makes us feel yucky after all this healthy living we are doing) and b) we really don't want to be "slaves" to the clock and what time we have to be somewhere just to eat, hungry or not.

We are staying at the Cabins at FW so we will have a full kitchen. I am sending a box of stuff down for us (coffee, granola bars, cereal etc) for our breakfasts each day. Then we can do our QS for our other meals and share if we want.

Switching saved us about $200 (DD is still 9, thankfully) and not having to tip for so many TS meals is a savings too. I'll let you know how it works out when we get back!

 

[Allisdad]

Ok, here is my dilema. We are going in Sept. for 7 days and really not sure what to do about DDP. I have two VERY picky eaters in my wife and daughter, and they both eat very little. I on the other hand need my steak. I figure if I'm on vacation I am going to eat like it. My wife and I also only drink water (caffiene makes me way to gittery) so the added drink will be useless to us. Having said that witch plan should I chose, I want to take my daughter to as many character meals as possible so the DDP may be the only way to go. I tried to just look at menus and do the math but not sure what my family will eat until we get there. Please help. Thanks in advance.

 

[noahdove]

In August I will be taking my sister's 8 year old granddaughter and we will do the DP. She alone can and will eat between $7-8 for just breakfast She is a super eater...so, keeping her well fed and not cranky ( as she does get cranky when she is hungary) is well worth the money..she probably will out eat me..she is far from being heavy so...TS will be a great treat for her and me...good luck in whatever is decided..

 

[maggieb9975]

Ok, here is my dilema. We are going in Sept. for 7 days and really not sure what to do about DDP. I have two VERY picky eaters in my wife and daughter, and they both eat very little. I on the other hand need my steak. I figure if I'm on vacation I am going to eat like it. My wife and I also only drink water (caffiene makes me way to gittery) so the added drink will be useless to us. Having said that witch plan should I chose, I want to take my daughter to as many character meals as possible so the DDP may be the only way to go. I tried to just look at menus and do the math but not sure what my family will eat until we get there. Please help. Thanks in advance.

You didn't say how old your DD is...if between 3-9 and u r going to character buffets the DDP is probably worth it...if she is adult age I would go OOP...your wife and DD can order what they want and you can have your steak ....re drinks...some places will give you milkshakes...

Although it is a lot of work I would check out the Disney site for restaurants and desciptions which I think they do a pretty good job of and for the menus that they don't have go to allears. Look at menus, figure out what your family typically might eat and go from there....when I did that my DD 16 and I figure we will save about $12-25 a day.....

Personally, it looks like you would be better to pay OOP.....

 

[chigirl]

We're doing the QSDP on our June trip...we did the basic DDP in 2006 and 2005 and even though we had great meals, the family HATED being stuck to a schedule! I would ALWAYS get the dining plan, its never been a cost thing for me, its just the way to go for me, having the food paid for in advance and the ease...it seems over the years people have become obsessed with ADR's and squeezing every cent out of the plan versus just having a good time. Also, all those TS meals are just too much food. It will be HOT when we go...I am happy getting a big syrupy cherry coke and a handful of caramel corn from Sleepy Hollow Treats!

 

[rluey29]

We are doing the Basic DP this year. I will have DS9 and DS2 with us and I hate to stand in long lines waiting to snap pictures with the characters. If you have character meals then you get to eat, see the charac., and have a little interaction with them. With small children I feel like this is the way to go.

My oldest will turn 10 the next year though and I do think we'll try out the QSDP and pay oop for a few TS.

 

[TifffanyD]

We are trying the QSDP for a quick 2 night trip in May. Thought about upgrading to the dining plan but to get the same amount of food it would be, per person an extra $10 per night + $4 approx tip per night (conservatively) + $3 snack per day + $13 mug over the course of 2 days. So the actual cost increase for it was $17 per day plus the mug (or $94 for our 2 person 2 day trip). Those little things really add up

 

[mom of princessx2]

I think it would depend on what you are hoping to do on this trip. We have just decided to do QSDP for our "budget friendly" trip in May mainly because we want a relaxed trip without ADR's. Also still no cost for our DD2 and she will be able to eat plenty off my plate and the snacks. We figure it will save us about $15-20 per day. However next trip we will get DDP and do several character dinners. Like PP said, we like everything paid upfront.